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Jim Shooter: Conversations
Jason Sacks, Eric Hoffman and Dominick Grace
Book
As an American comic book writer, editor, and businessman, Jim Shooter (b. 1952) remains among the...
Stephen Merchant recommended Play It Again, Sam (1972) in Movies (curated)
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Underwater (2020) in Movies
Sep 11, 2020
Fair play, Underwater doesn't fuck around - 2 minutes in and all hell starts breaking loose and shit hits the fan pretty relentlessly until the credits roll. It's clear that director William Eubank wants your attention from the beginning - unfortunately it doesn't quite stay like this throughout...
I actually enjoyed Underwater for the most part, it's just that somewhere in the middle, it really starts to drag a bit, and I'm not even quite sure why - there's always something going on but it just lost me a bit.
Fortunately, the up and down middle act is book-ended by a very strong and tense first act, and one hell of a final third - no spoilers here but holy fuck!!!
The ending 'reveal' honestly elevates Underwater to loftier heights.
It also benefits from a good cast. Kristen Stewart has really grown on me in recent years and she's a fantastic lead in this. Always a pleasure to have Jessica Henwick and John Gallagher Jr. onscreen as well.
As per usual, I couldn't really get on with T.J. Miller - there's just something about that dude that always feels a bit too try hard - people liked him in Deadpool and now he's just typecast as the comic relief - Underwater doesn't really need comic relief.
There are some genuinely tense moments here and there, and the Aliens vibes are prominent - it's of course a few tiers under Aliens, but the bottom of the sea feels just as empty and otherworldly as space, and the creature designs are suitably eerie. The low light levels cover up a lot of CGI, so it never looks too fake either, with the exception of a couple of dodgy gore effects.
Underwater is a decent enough sci-fi-horror thriller that suffer a bit from pacing issues, but a good watch for those of you who like movie monsters.
I actually enjoyed Underwater for the most part, it's just that somewhere in the middle, it really starts to drag a bit, and I'm not even quite sure why - there's always something going on but it just lost me a bit.
Fortunately, the up and down middle act is book-ended by a very strong and tense first act, and one hell of a final third - no spoilers here but holy fuck!!!
The ending 'reveal' honestly elevates Underwater to loftier heights.
It also benefits from a good cast. Kristen Stewart has really grown on me in recent years and she's a fantastic lead in this. Always a pleasure to have Jessica Henwick and John Gallagher Jr. onscreen as well.
As per usual, I couldn't really get on with T.J. Miller - there's just something about that dude that always feels a bit too try hard - people liked him in Deadpool and now he's just typecast as the comic relief - Underwater doesn't really need comic relief.
There are some genuinely tense moments here and there, and the Aliens vibes are prominent - it's of course a few tiers under Aliens, but the bottom of the sea feels just as empty and otherworldly as space, and the creature designs are suitably eerie. The low light levels cover up a lot of CGI, so it never looks too fake either, with the exception of a couple of dodgy gore effects.
Underwater is a decent enough sci-fi-horror thriller that suffer a bit from pacing issues, but a good watch for those of you who like movie monsters.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Batgirl, Vol. 3: Death of the Family in Books
Nov 30, 2020
Man, I have no idea WTF happened here, but I am the minority, as I just wasn't feeling it here!
Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine, as well as a sizable number of comic readers. I don't pick up everything she writes, i.e. Dynamite's RED SONJA series, but I do try to keep a lookout when a new series, or new writing assignment from her, is out. And, generally, she is all aces, except here!
This was a re-read for me, as I was reading BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY (which was AWESOME, btw!), and I wanted to get the whole story. I don't know what happened, but it just started to get on m nerves! I really, truly wanted to enjoy the second time, but just felt like bland potato salad!
Daniel Sampere's art, on the other hand, was flawless. All the characters, as well as the backgrounds, looked hella tight! I found myself more into the art that the actual story!
I am not 100% sure why I didn't like it. Mostly, I felt some of the characterizations were off, leaving to not give a fart about any of them! That right there is what makes a book, regardless of whether a comic or an actual prose work, the characters have to stand out and make you actually interested in them! Without factor, you have a book that will fail to attract attention, and ultimately, will fail, falling quite flat!
Ok, this is my closing part. This is where I give my final grade, as well as recommending, or trashing, the book being reviewed. Not gonna do it this time round! I want to say that you, yourself, should read this trade, seeing if you like it as much as the others seemed to, k'?
Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine, as well as a sizable number of comic readers. I don't pick up everything she writes, i.e. Dynamite's RED SONJA series, but I do try to keep a lookout when a new series, or new writing assignment from her, is out. And, generally, she is all aces, except here!
This was a re-read for me, as I was reading BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY (which was AWESOME, btw!), and I wanted to get the whole story. I don't know what happened, but it just started to get on m nerves! I really, truly wanted to enjoy the second time, but just felt like bland potato salad!
Daniel Sampere's art, on the other hand, was flawless. All the characters, as well as the backgrounds, looked hella tight! I found myself more into the art that the actual story!
I am not 100% sure why I didn't like it. Mostly, I felt some of the characterizations were off, leaving to not give a fart about any of them! That right there is what makes a book, regardless of whether a comic or an actual prose work, the characters have to stand out and make you actually interested in them! Without factor, you have a book that will fail to attract attention, and ultimately, will fail, falling quite flat!
Ok, this is my closing part. This is where I give my final grade, as well as recommending, or trashing, the book being reviewed. Not gonna do it this time round! I want to say that you, yourself, should read this trade, seeing if you like it as much as the others seemed to, k'?
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Captain Underpants (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
Based off the bestselling kids’ book series by Dav Pilkey, Captain
Underpants tells the story of George Beard (Kevin Hart) and Harold Hutchins
(Thomas Middleditch), a couple of over imaginative elementary school kids
that spend their days trying to make the most out of the daily monotonous
chore that is school by secretly playing pranks to keep themselves and
their fellow schoolmates entertained. And, trying to make sure they don’t
get caught by the school principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helm). Outside of
school, they spend countless hours in their treehouse creating comic
books.
Their greatest creation is the underwear sporting, high flying,
overly friendly, and extremely unintelligent superhero Captain Underpants.
Mr. Krupp’s main purpose in life is to make everyone else’s life
miserable. When he threatens to separate the boys, put them in different
classrooms, after being caught playing a prank. The boys decide to
hypnotize their principal into becoming the incredible Captain Underpants.
Ecstatic about seeing their comic book come to life, they suddenly realize
their plan backfires when Mr. Krupp in Capt Underpants persona hires
Professor Poopypants (Nick Kroll) to be the school’s new science teacher.
He’s no ordinary school teacher. Professor Poopypants wants to rid the
world of laughter starting with kids the at George and Harold’s school. Oh
NO!!!!
This film is everything you would expect it to be: outlandish, vibrant, and
full of potty humor. Just enough to keep parents entertained and the
kiddos completely engaged. From what I gather, not having read the books,
but my son has, it follows the storyline pretty closely to the first novel
in the 8 book series. I am not surprised if Dreamworks capitalizes on this
and releases a movie for each book.
Underpants tells the story of George Beard (Kevin Hart) and Harold Hutchins
(Thomas Middleditch), a couple of over imaginative elementary school kids
that spend their days trying to make the most out of the daily monotonous
chore that is school by secretly playing pranks to keep themselves and
their fellow schoolmates entertained. And, trying to make sure they don’t
get caught by the school principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helm). Outside of
school, they spend countless hours in their treehouse creating comic
books.
Their greatest creation is the underwear sporting, high flying,
overly friendly, and extremely unintelligent superhero Captain Underpants.
Mr. Krupp’s main purpose in life is to make everyone else’s life
miserable. When he threatens to separate the boys, put them in different
classrooms, after being caught playing a prank. The boys decide to
hypnotize their principal into becoming the incredible Captain Underpants.
Ecstatic about seeing their comic book come to life, they suddenly realize
their plan backfires when Mr. Krupp in Capt Underpants persona hires
Professor Poopypants (Nick Kroll) to be the school’s new science teacher.
He’s no ordinary school teacher. Professor Poopypants wants to rid the
world of laughter starting with kids the at George and Harold’s school. Oh
NO!!!!
This film is everything you would expect it to be: outlandish, vibrant, and
full of potty humor. Just enough to keep parents entertained and the
kiddos completely engaged. From what I gather, not having read the books,
but my son has, it follows the storyline pretty closely to the first novel
in the 8 book series. I am not surprised if Dreamworks capitalizes on this
and releases a movie for each book.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated 2012 (2009) in Movies
Sep 12, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
In brief - movie about the world ending makes you wish that the world was ending
Let's be honest - many, if not all natural disaster films are viewed purely for the spectacle. No one is settling down to watch one of these things with the intention of watching some layered character arc, or listen to a fantastic script - 2012 is no different.
The above mentioned spectacle is very formulaic here, as crazy set piece is followed by crazy set piece, complimented with in between scenes of a just-doing-it-for-the-pay-check John Cusack, and his exceptionally boring family (who all somehow manage to be in the exact place of disasters kicking off multiple times).
The scenes of mayhem themselves are laced with Benny Hill-esque antics, and silly dialogue that instantly removes any tension.
As our band of irritatingly mundane survivors trudge through our planet literally cracking apart, they come across a host of 'wacky' characters, who all seem to be jostling for the part of comic relief (not every character needs to be comic relief Roland). And I really wanted pretty much everyone of these characters to just hurry up and get killed by a tornado or whatever.
I did however quite enjoy Woody Harrelson's batshit crazy conspiracy theorist and his gratuitous pickle eating.
It's also always nice to see the likes of Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, even if they're not given much to do here but look all serious.
The CGI is just about starting to age at this point but is still mostly passable, and they're are some pretty memorable visuals here and there.
Overall though 2012 is pretty awful and really not as fun as it thinks it is.
The above mentioned spectacle is very formulaic here, as crazy set piece is followed by crazy set piece, complimented with in between scenes of a just-doing-it-for-the-pay-check John Cusack, and his exceptionally boring family (who all somehow manage to be in the exact place of disasters kicking off multiple times).
The scenes of mayhem themselves are laced with Benny Hill-esque antics, and silly dialogue that instantly removes any tension.
As our band of irritatingly mundane survivors trudge through our planet literally cracking apart, they come across a host of 'wacky' characters, who all seem to be jostling for the part of comic relief (not every character needs to be comic relief Roland). And I really wanted pretty much everyone of these characters to just hurry up and get killed by a tornado or whatever.
I did however quite enjoy Woody Harrelson's batshit crazy conspiracy theorist and his gratuitous pickle eating.
It's also always nice to see the likes of Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, even if they're not given much to do here but look all serious.
The CGI is just about starting to age at this point but is still mostly passable, and they're are some pretty memorable visuals here and there.
Overall though 2012 is pretty awful and really not as fun as it thinks it is.
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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Thor: The Dark World (2013) in Movies
Oct 1, 2020
The second Thor movie is a visual representation of the word "meh". It has all the right ingredients, but somehow manages to fall flat.
The general plot is an issue. It's not a terrible narrative, but it's the kind of bloated fantasy stuff you would find in an early 2000s superhero movie, not a franchise that is eight films in and includes The Avengers.
The only purpose it serves in the grand scheme of things is the introduction of another Infinity Stone. Other than that it's just stuffed with exposition and kind of bland.
Another issue is, you guess it, the villain. Malekith isn't necessarily a bad choice for the movies antagonist, but his execution feels inconsequential and boring. Christopher Eccleston does the best with what he has but the stakes never feel high with this guy, although I do enjoy his comic- accurate appearance from the halfway mark.
Visually, The Dark World looks great. The CGI is pretty decent, the locations such as Asgard are just as well realised as the first film. Returning cast members include Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba and Natalie Portman, as well as the always awesome Chris Hemsworth. Nothing wrong here, although I do feel that Lady Sif and The Warriors Three are wasted this time around.
The final set piece is pretty damn entertaining to be fair, and borders on suitable comic-book absurdity at points. The attack on Asgard by the Dark Elves is also pretty thrilling, but everything else is a little so so.
I still like Thor: The Dark World for what it's worth, it's just a little by the numbers and uninspired, and is probably my least favourite of the MCU movies to date.
The general plot is an issue. It's not a terrible narrative, but it's the kind of bloated fantasy stuff you would find in an early 2000s superhero movie, not a franchise that is eight films in and includes The Avengers.
The only purpose it serves in the grand scheme of things is the introduction of another Infinity Stone. Other than that it's just stuffed with exposition and kind of bland.
Another issue is, you guess it, the villain. Malekith isn't necessarily a bad choice for the movies antagonist, but his execution feels inconsequential and boring. Christopher Eccleston does the best with what he has but the stakes never feel high with this guy, although I do enjoy his comic- accurate appearance from the halfway mark.
Visually, The Dark World looks great. The CGI is pretty decent, the locations such as Asgard are just as well realised as the first film. Returning cast members include Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba and Natalie Portman, as well as the always awesome Chris Hemsworth. Nothing wrong here, although I do feel that Lady Sif and The Warriors Three are wasted this time around.
The final set piece is pretty damn entertaining to be fair, and borders on suitable comic-book absurdity at points. The attack on Asgard by the Dark Elves is also pretty thrilling, but everything else is a little so so.
I still like Thor: The Dark World for what it's worth, it's just a little by the numbers and uninspired, and is probably my least favourite of the MCU movies to date.
David McK (3372 KP) rated Superman and Lois in TV
Apr 10, 2022
I don't know about you, but when I think of Superman I tend to think of his Clark Kent early Daily Planet days, back when he was a reporter and when Lois didn't know his alter-ego.
That seems to be the period in which most of the Superman films have been set in (and is probably why I think of that), with his earlier teenage/Young Adult days explored more in TVs Smallville.
I'd never come across a 'mainline' story with a hook just like this before: Clark Kent is no longer a reporter at the Daily Planet, is now married to Lois who knows his secret and has kids (teenage twin boys) of his own.
Yes, I know that's been covered in the comic books.
Anyway, this is another entry in what-is-sometimes-known-as The Arrowverse, with both Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane having previously 'popped up' in some of it's sister shows - I think first appearing in the second season of 'Supergirl' - before putting in an appearance in some of the crossover events.
Having said that, this is largely a self-contained series (post Crisis), although there are points where you just have to wonder why Kal-El doesn't put out a call to his cousin Kara Zor-El to help! Setting that aside, however, this is beautifully shot (and generally written/performed better than most of the other Arrowverse shows), with Tyler Hoechlin continuing to prove himself a far lighter, more comic-accurate (I feel) version than that shown by Henry Cavill in 'Man of Steel' and 'Batman Vs Superman' or 'Dawn of Justice', and with Elizabeth Tulloch also winning me over as Lois Lane.
That seems to be the period in which most of the Superman films have been set in (and is probably why I think of that), with his earlier teenage/Young Adult days explored more in TVs Smallville.
I'd never come across a 'mainline' story with a hook just like this before: Clark Kent is no longer a reporter at the Daily Planet, is now married to Lois who knows his secret and has kids (teenage twin boys) of his own.
Yes, I know that's been covered in the comic books.
Anyway, this is another entry in what-is-sometimes-known-as The Arrowverse, with both Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane having previously 'popped up' in some of it's sister shows - I think first appearing in the second season of 'Supergirl' - before putting in an appearance in some of the crossover events.
Having said that, this is largely a self-contained series (post Crisis), although there are points where you just have to wonder why Kal-El doesn't put out a call to his cousin Kara Zor-El to help! Setting that aside, however, this is beautifully shot (and generally written/performed better than most of the other Arrowverse shows), with Tyler Hoechlin continuing to prove himself a far lighter, more comic-accurate (I feel) version than that shown by Henry Cavill in 'Man of Steel' and 'Batman Vs Superman' or 'Dawn of Justice', and with Elizabeth Tulloch also winning me over as Lois Lane.
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History in Books
Jan 12, 2018
A wonderful birthday present from Keith and Sarah, i blew through this in less than a week. Granted, there are some big, beautiful full-page pictures, but the story of the Back To The Future trilogy is just as fascinating. As a long time fan, (Back to the Future is a perfect trilogy, and I'll challenge anyone to fisticuffs who says otherwise!) a lot of this information I knew. But I also found MANY undiscovered nuggets that made me love it even more. In depth and accessible, with a week by week breakdown of what was shot, when, where and how. The last chapters go beyond the Trilogy to cover the Ride at Universal Studios and the CBS cartoon series, this is truly the Ultimate Visual history. (Published before the start of IDWs comic series, it unfortunately misses those.)